Chess

The just concluded USSR Team Championship was won by Moscow, which fielded an exceedingly strong team led by world champion Petrosian, former world champions Botvinnik and Smyslov, and grandmasters Bronstein, Kholmov and Vasyukov.

(a) Stronger than 6...Nf6 7.0-0 Be7 8.dc.
(b) Usual is 8 cd with play against Black's isolated "d"-pawn.
(c) Black has fine compensation for his pawn sacrifice.
(d) Equivalent to admitting that the extra pawn cannot be held safely.
(e) Provoking White's ensuing "combination," but Black's initiative looms larger in any event.
(f) The only way to stave off mate, since 23 g3 fails against 23...Qc6.
(g) Black was threatening to play 30...Rg5.
(h) Anyway! Black presses home his attack.
(i) The enemy pawn must queen, e.g., 38.Ke1 Rg1+ 39.Kf2 Rf1+ 40.Ke3 or 40.Kg3 Bc6.

Contra Costa Championships

This tournament, directed by Jerry Long, will be held, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 26-27, at the Walnut Creek Recreation Center, Civic Drive, in Walnut Creek. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded to winners. All chess players who are or will become members of Chess Friends of Northern California are eligible to participate. Entry fee is $5 for CFNC members, $8 for non-members. Registration for this five-round Swiss system tourney begins at 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 26.